According to veteran Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the latest iPhone 16 series saw an estimated 37 million units in pre-orders during its first weekend.
While this number is substantial, it represents a 12.7% decrease compared to last year’s iPhone 15 pre-orders, signaling a potential shift in consumer demand.
Kuo’s assessment is based on data gathered from supply chain surveys and pre-order trends observed on Apple’s official websites in major markets.
His analysis reveals that the iPhone 16 Pro series did not generate the same level of excitement as its predecessor. One indicator of this is the shorter delivery times for the iPhone 16 Pro, which contrasts sharply with the longer waiting periods seen with the iPhone 15 Pro series last year.
Several factors may have contributed to the weaker demand for the Pro models. A notable issue is the delayed availability of Apple’s new “Apple Intelligence” feature, which was expected to be a key selling point but is not available at the time of the iPhone 16’s launch.
Despite the overall decline in demand for the Pro series, the iPhone 16 Pro Max performed better than its counterparts. Kuo attributes this to improvements in tetraprism camera production yields, which allowed Apple to produce more units ahead of launch.
Kuo suggests that Apple’s supply chain is unlikely to alter its production plans significantly in response to the Pro series’ weaker-than-expected demand. However, Apple still has opportunities to boost sales in the coming months.
The upcoming release of the highly anticipated Apple Intelligence feature, coupled with peak season promotions during the year-end holidays in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the Double 11 shopping festival in China, could help stimulate demand.
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They wish it is because of Apple Ai delay. But in reality people just don’t’ have money. There are still couple variants available for sep 20 pick up at local stores here in Calgary. This never happened over the years that I'm preordering.
If I sell my two month old 15 Pro Max I'll grab the 16, that's what it comes down to–actual trade value, not what Apple offers.